It was a stunning man marking performance on Ronan Hayes.
Clough-Ballacolla's Willie Hyland didn't mince his words when speaking about team-mate Darren Maher in the aftermath of their three-point victory over Kilmacud Crokes.
'He's the most underrated hurler we've had for the last number of years.' he said confidently.
No mean feat when you look at the standard of player among the back-to-back Laois champions panel.
To be fair this will rank up there with the most satisfying performances in Maher's career, holding a man in the form of Ronan Hayes to a point from play was absolutely crucial in Clough-Ballcolla coming out on top on the day.
It was a complete performance from 1-15, but it was established beforehand that keeping Hayes and his partner in crime Alex Considine quiet was a major part of any successful game plan, something Declan Laffan and co executed with aplomb.
Hyland didn't reserve his praise to just one sentence either, he continued:
I said it to Darren before the game and I've been hurling with him since we were seven-years-old, I've probably never worried about who he was marking because he has the heart of a lion.
I knew when he was marking Ronan Hayes that look there's only going to be one winner.
I just knew that Darren would deliver. I was more concerned about how we would help him out by not letting easy, clean ball into Ronan Hayes to be honest with you.
What a fellow. What a game..'
🗣️ "It's a dream to get to a Leinster final with your club"@Clough_Bcolla defender Darren Maher spoke to @referee34 after they reached their maiden Leinster Club Hurling final with a three-point win against Kilmacud Crokeshttps://t.co/Q6oGOmvCBN
— Midlands 103 Sport (@MidlandsSport) December 12, 2021
Third Time The Charm As Laois Claim Joe McDonagh Cup
Offaly Pupils Become Local Stars After Publishing Bestselling Book
Katie Taylor To Fight At Croke Park In September
Laois And Westmeath Set For Big Tests In Intermediate Camogie Championship
I Knew I Had To Play A Good Round To Win - Ella Cantwell
Mullingar Athletic And Clonaslee United To Clash In Combined Counties Cup Final
Shane Lowry And Rory McIlroy In Contention At Memorial Tournament
There's Serious Competition In The Laois Panel - Mark Dowling
Westmeath Ladies Look To Book All-Ireland Quarter-Final Spot
Alex Dunne Aiming For Big Weekend In Monaco
Offaly Camogie Captain Looking Forward To Kilkenny Clash
Shane Lowry In Action At Memorial Tournament
Laois Aiming To Make It Third Time Lucky In Joe McDonagh Cup Decider
Galway To Host Westmeath On Sunday June 14th
Second Round Draw Made For FAI Cup
Cian Reddy Keeps Up Unbeaten Professional Record
Westmeath Ladies Get Opening Win In All-Ireland Intermediate Championship
Athlone Town Knocked Out Of All-Island Cup
Limerick See Off Offaly In Senior Camogie Championship
Athlone Town Suffer Defeat Away To UCD In First Division